Buntzen Lake trails

• Hiking time: 6-8 hours return. Distance: 16.1 km loop. Elevation gain: 1035 m

The Halvor Lunden (Eagle Ridge) Trail is comprised of the Lindsay Lake Loop, Swan Falls Loop, and Dilly Dally Loop. The trailhead is located on Powerhouse Road, near the southeast corner of the South Beach parking area.

• Hiking time: 6-8 hours return. Distance: 15 km. Elevation gain: 1020 m

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. The trail to Lindsay Lake is the most popular of the three loops along this trail. Climb to El Paso Junction, then turn left and cross Buntzen Creek. Passing through the ancient mountain forest you will encounter several spectacular viewpoints overlooking Vancouver. At Lindsay Lake Junction (at the north end of Lindsay Lake) turn right and head south through the "lakes district" back to El Paso Junction. Return to the main parking area along the same trail you started on. Snow is present on this trail from November until June and hikers need to be prepared for challenging conditions and adverse weather.

• Hiking time: 8-10 hours return. Distance: 20 km. Elevation gain: 1150 m.

This route is very steep and is only recommended for experienced and hikers.
places. Follow the trail to El Paso Junction, and then choose either the left
or right trail to Lindsay Lake Junction. If you choose left, you will see Eagle
Ridge's best remaining old-growth forest as well as passing several viewpoints
of Vancouver. A right turn will take you through the "lakes district" with its many beautiful tarns. Continuing north from Lindsay Lake Junction, ascend Mt. Beautiful (Eagle Peak) for a panoramic view of Mt. Baker, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Coquitlam watershed, Mt. Seymour Park, Indian Arm and beyond. 

• Hiking time: 10-12 hours return. Distance: 25 km. Elevation gain: 1150 m.

This route is partially closed. You can access Dilly Dally from the Havlor Lunden trail, as an out-and-back. It will be a large hike therefore this route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. Snow is present on this trail from November until June so hikers need to be prepared for challenging conditions and potential adverse weather. Be sure you have the whole day and note gate closure times.

• Hiking time: 4-5 hours return. Distance: 8 km. Elevation gain: 100 m.

Circle Buntzen Lake and enjoy the beautiful views of surrounding mountains. Starting at Buntzen Creek Bridge at the east side of South Beach, the trail leads north, passing several lake access points and viewpoints. After a short section along Powerhouse Road, the Buntzen Lake Trail resumes at the North Beach picnic area. From here, cross the suspension bridge to continue along the Buntzen Lake Trail or you can return along Powerhouse Road for a shorter, easier hike. The trail takes you through open areas underneath the powerline, through mature forest, across several bridges, then finally opens up onto Pumphouse Road. Follow this road south to the floating bridge across the southwest arm of Buntzen Lake. Cross the bridge and follow the trail back to South Beach.

• Hiking time: 30 minutes return. Distance: 1 km. Elevation gain: 15 m.

Looping around the wooded knoll southwest of the South Beach boat launch, this trail passes through a variety of forest landscapes and past attractive views of Buntzen Lake. Look for interpretive displays along the way.

• Hiking time: 6-8 hours return. Distance: 7 km (one way). Elevation gain: 460 m.
  

This route is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. Spanish for "ten views", the Diez Vistas Trail is aptly named. Offering spectacular views of Vancouver's waterways and mountains, the Diez Vistas Trail starts near the floating bridge. Travelling uphill into the forest, cross the powerline and pipeline and continue along a series of switchbacks until the trail forks. The left trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Indian Arm and the right leads to a view of South Beach and across to Eagle Ridge. After reaching the high point where the trails reunite, you travel along a forest trail that terminates at a BC Hydro service road. Keep right and follow the service road and transmission line (the Old Buntzen Lake Trail) back to the Buntzen Lake Trail, where a left turn will take you to the suspension bridge leading to North Beach. From here, follow either Powerhouse Road or the Buntzen Lake Trail back to South Beach.

• Hiking time: 2-3 hours. Distance: 5.5 km. Elevation gain: 200 m.

Leading steeply up the mountainside into the cool, dark cedar and hemlock forests that blanket the slopes around Buntzen Lake, these trails form loops with Powerhouse Road and the Lakeview Trail and provide access to the Diez Vistas Trail and the trail to Sasamat Lake.

• Hiking time: 5-6 hours return. Distance: 6 km (one way). Elevation gain: 150 m.

This trail runs north to south and is accessed from the north. Portions of this trail are very steep. Equestrians and mountain bike riders should only use this trail if experienced in steep mountain terrain riding. Providing an alternative route along Buntzen Lake's western shore, this trail weaves its way along Pumphouse Road from the main entrance gate, then connects with the transmission line heading north before slipping into the dense forest that enfolds Buntzen Ridge. The trail ends where it joins the Old Buntzen Lake Trail near North Beach.

• Hiking time: 2-2.5 hours (one way). Distance: 4 km. Elevation gain: 100 m.

The Academy Trail begins at the main entrance gate and extends north through a fern-filled forest paralleling the main access road to the equestrian parking lot. The trail then follows Rogue Creek to an open transmission line access road that joins with Powerhouse Road about halfway to North Beach.

The Dog Bypass, Pumphouse Road, Powerhouse Road, the South Beach Trail – there are many small connector trails around the main picnic area and entrance roads.

Please remain on the established trails.

Building your own connections and taking short cuts degrades the soil, disturbs or kills vegetation and alters habitat for small animals. Remember to allow yourself plenty of time to complete your route.

Following a rockslide, there's no pedestrian access on Powerhouse Road between North Beach and Buntzen Dam. Hikers completing the Diez Vistas trail should use the Old Buntzen Lake trail to access either Lakeview trail or the west side of Buntzen Lake trail to get back to South Beach and the main parking lot. Swan Falls trail is also inaccessible to hikers at this time.

This recreation area has trails that cross onto property not maintained by us, which may have hazards such as unsafe bridges, rock falls, and rough terrain. Visitors access these trails at their own risk so please ensure you plan your hike accordingly.